01.25.23
Historic Funds to Support Marine Highway Operations, Vessel Acquisitions, and Shoreline Infrastructure
Washington—U.S. Senators Lisa Markowski and Dan Sullivan, both from R-Alaska, today announced that the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) has committed $285 million to improve the reliability and service of Alaska’s ferry system. announced an investment of more than $10,000. miles of coastline. All funds awarded to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) will be used to replace aging vessels, upgrade ferry dock infrastructure in rural areas, modernize four vessels, procure an electric ferry and a new mainliner. Designated for ship design and sustainable power generation. operation. This groundbreaking fundraising HR 3684, Infrastructure Investment and Employment Act (IIJA)Senator Markowski played a leading role in writing and negotiating for Alaska. These awards are the first of IIJA’s newly established Rural Ferry Service Program and Electric or Low Emission Ferry Pilot Program. Additional grants from these programs will be available to his AMHS for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 fiscal years.
“Growing up in a coastal area dependent on the Alaska Marine Highway system, I always understood the importance of Alaska’s ferry system. That was one of my top priorities: upgrading our aging ferry fleet and restoring connectivity across coastal communities through our Rural Communities Ferry Service program, created specifically with rural Alaskans in mind. We are proud to have led this historic investment to bring Senator Markowski said. “Thanks to the Infrastructure Act, the state will receive more than $225 million to ensure the continuity of this vital mode of transportation. We believe the state will take advantage of these grant opportunities for the betterment of Alaska, including upgrading, investing in sustainable transportation, and more.”
“The majority of Alaskan communities are not connected to the road network, making ports and ferries as vital as roads and highways, making them an important area of federal responsibility.” Senator Sullivan said. “The funding announced today is great news for the thousands of Alaskans who depend on the ferry system, which serves a vast stretch of coastline the distance between St. Louis and San Francisco. These funds will be used to upgrade existing AMHS vessels, eventually procure Tustumena replacements, and rehabilitate degraded portside infrastructure to provide safer and more reliable transportation. I commend Senator Markowski for making Alaska’s ferry system a priority in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. I am a member of the Commerce Commission and the EPW Commission. As a member of the Congregation, we will continue to fight to strengthen Alaska’s ports and ferries, which are vital to the economic interests and well-being of Alaskans throughout the Southeast, Gulf Coast and Aleutians.”
Funding details: (More than $285 million has been awarded to six Alaska Marine Highway System projects.)
- $72 million to modernize four critical AMHS vessels required for service and environmental benefits.
Total project cost: $90,081,932
Federal Claim: $72,065,546
State Funded Matches: $18,016,386
Announced Prize: $72,065,545
- $68 million to upgrade the M/V Tustumena vessel serving rural southwest Alaska.
Total project cost: $85,610,480
Federal Claim: $68,488,384
State Funded Matches: $17,122,096
Announced Prize: $68,488,384.00
- $45 million for significant upgrades to ferry dock infrastructure in five rural communities in Alaska.
Total project cost: $56,848,018
Federal Claim: $45,478,414
State Funded Matches: $11,369,604
Announced Prize: $45,483,214.00
- $46 million to foster a systems approach to sustainable transportation by implementing climate-friendly ferry options.
Total project cost: $57,767,509
Federal Claim: $46,214,008
State Funded Matches: $11,553,502
Announced Prize: $46,214,008
- $8 million to anticipate future service and replacement needs by designing the new Alaskan Mainliner.
Total project cost: $10,739,520
Federal Request: $8,591,616
State Funded Matches: $2,147,904
Announced Prize: $8,591,616
- $44 million to restore AMHS health and sustainably operate rural communities.
Total project cost: $89,647,600
Federal Claim: $44,823,800
State Funded Matches: $44,823,800
Announced Prize: $44,823,800
Background:
As lead author of the bipartisan Infrastructure Act, Senator Murkowski has included a variety of programs that will benefit Alaska for generations to come.
In July 2022, Senator Murkowski announced that a historic $300 million in funding would be made available for the ferry. To date, Alaska has received more than $3 billion from her, counted as a result of the IIJA.
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